Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karim Bashorov and Antonio Jose De Sucre. Bashorov comes to the cage accompanied by Hangar 18. Antonio Jose De Sucre is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of 33 wins, 6 losses and 1 draws, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karim Bashorov!And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of 23 wins, 13 losses and 0 draws, fighting out of London, Antonio Jose De Sucre!The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Bashorov dives in for a single leg takedown but De Sucre sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage. Good exchange - Bashorov coming out on top. Bashorov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected. De Sucre displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bashorov. We've been hearing reports that Bashorov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight. Bashorov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard. Bashorov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bashorov throws a good cross that connects.
A telegraphed right hand from Bashorov misses the target. De Sucre swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made. Bashorov looks to land a left hand but De Sucre moved out of range nicely.We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Bashorov dips down and scores with a jab to the body. Bashorov lands a lovely overhand right. Bashorov misses with a hook to the body
and De Sucre counters with a solid body kick. Bashorov cracks De Sucre with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so! Bashorov thuds his right hand into De Sucre's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.That's one minute gone in the round. De Sucre will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
De Sucre throws a body kick, spinning off balance and Bashorov counters with a stiff right hand. De Sucre looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.Karim Bashorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. De Sucre misses the shot to the body. De Sucre walks into a stiff left hand from Bashorov.Bashorov drives through with a takedown into guard. Bashorov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time. Bashorov trying to control the position from guard on top but De Sucre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Bashorov throws a big right hand that misses. Bashorov won't allow De Sucre to get back to his feet. De Sucre looking to control.
Bashorov landing with the ground and pound. That's two minutes gone in the round. Bashorov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard. De Sucre pulls Bashorov in close to prevent any damage. Bashorov is stalling in the full guard. De Sucre controlling the position. A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bashorov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand. Bashorov wants to pass the guard but De Sucre is keeping the position. Bashorov trying to control but De Sucre is working from the bottom. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Bashorov throwing strikes from guard but De Sucre blocks nicely. That's three minutes gone in the round. De Sucre wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now. The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet. A jab lands there for Bashorov. Bashorov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces De Sucre back to the cage. Bashorov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver. Bashorov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business. Bashorov fails to land the takedown.De Sucre looks like he wants to counter punch here.That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karim Bashorov. That's going to take a lot out of him. A big left from Bashorov misses. De Sucre takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness. Nice jab there from De Sucre. Bashorov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
De Sucre gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.That's four minutes gone in the round. De Sucre scores with a nice head shot.The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so! De Sucre lands a leg kick that knocks Bashorov off balance momentarily. De Sucre misses with a wild body shot. Bashorov throws a body punch but De Sucre moves out of range. Bashorov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by De Sucre.
Bashorov tries to score a power double leg takedown but De Sucre sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bashorov somewhat. Bashorov lands with an overhand left. Danga de danga de dang - De Sucre scores with a four punch combination! Bashorov throws a body shot but no joy. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov dominated that round.The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

De Sucre lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt. Bashorov avoids the body shot from De Sucre.
Bashorov misses with a double jab
letting De Sucre counter with a right hand. De Sucre throws a right hand that misses
and Bashorov counters with a stiff right hand. Bashorov lands a body shot.
De Sucre is looking to slow Bashorov down with leg kicks. Bashorov blocks the body kick.
Bashorov misses with a hook. Bashorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Bashorov sizes up De Sucre with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle. Bashorov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice uppercut there from Bashorov.This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Bashorov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping De Sucre at a distance.
De Sucre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bashorov.
That's one minute gone in the round. De Sucre bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. De Sucre lands with a hook. Bashorov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head. De Sucre misses the jab. De Sucre moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross. A jab from Bashorov misses. A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bashorov. The fighters circling - De Sucre throws out the jab but it was never going to land. De Sucre misses with a hook. Bashorov ducked under it nicely. Antonio Jose De Sucre is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs. De Sucre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bashorov.
De Sucre looks to land a combination. Bashorov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots. Bashorov misses with an uppercut. De Sucre saw that one coming. A big left from Bashorov misses. Bashorov avoids a kick to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Bashorov misses with a takedown attempt - De Sucre sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses. De Sucre tries to clinch but Bashorov is having none of it. De Sucre swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target. Bashorov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so! De Sucre is looking to land body kicks. De Sucre lands a slapping body shot.
De Sucre scores with a jab. Bashorov acknowledges it with a nod of the head. It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Bashorov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man. Bashorov lands a jab. De Sucre cracks the inside of Bashorov's front leg. De Sucre scores with a nice right hand.
Bashorov lands a glancing blow to the side of De Sucre's head. De Sucre takes a shot right to the bread basket.That's three minutes gone in the round. De Sucre misses with a kick to the body.
Bashorov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground. De Sucre kicks off Bashorov and gets to his feet. A swing and a miss from Bashorov. Nice cross by Bashorov. Bashorov with a body punch. A glancing blow. De Sucre fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bashorov manages to avoid it. De Sucre cracks a nice hook into Bashorov's ribs.De Sucre has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Bashorov closes this distance looking for a takedown but De Sucre circles away.That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karim Bashorov. That's going to take a lot out of him. De Sucre throws a body kick but he was well out of range there. Bashorov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
De Sucre is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bashorov. Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bashorov!
De Sucre keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bashorov.De Sucre now looks to counter with a shot at the body.That's four minutes gone in the round. De Sucre missing with a left hand there. Bashorov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one. Bashorov throws out a loose jab but De Sucre uses good head movement to avoid it. De Sucre's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bashorov under the eye. De Sucre on the wrong end of a nice jab. Bashorov slips a straight right by De Sucre.Bashorov gets a double leg takedown into De Sucre's guard. De Sucre preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage. De Sucre wants to stand up but Bashorov is controlling him. Bashorov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Bashorov preventing the sweep. Bashorov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Antonio Jose De Sucre will probably get the nod - 10:9.That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bashorov misses with a jab to the body
and De Sucre counters with an inside leg kick. Bashorov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut. De Sucre throws a leg kick and Bashorov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle. Bashorov takes a swing at De Sucre's ribcage but misses. De Sucre looks like he wants to counter punch here. Bashorov lunges at De Sucre with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by De Sucre's hand. Bashorov moves into range and connects with a jab. Bashorov throws out a token jab with nothing on it. De Sucre misses with a body shot.
Bashorov misses with an uppercut. Bashorov misses the jab.We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Bashorov closes the distance and clinches up with De Sucre, looking for a takedown. Bashorov pushes De Sucre against the cage but De Sucre circles to the side and manages to break the clinch. Bashorov scores with a shot to the body.
De Sucre looks to throw the jab but Bashorov is out of range. A slow jab from Bashorov misses its intended target. And De Sucre responds with a good body kick, but Bashorov manages to step out the way in time.That's one minute gone in the round. Bashorov misses with a lunging right hand
and De Sucre counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bashorov thinking. De Sucre changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.Bashorov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that De Sucre can do to turn this around? De Sucre takes one to the side of the head.
Bashorov slips under a jab. De Sucre defending well as Bashorov loads up on a big left hand. De Sucre looks for the body kick but Bashorov saw that one coming. De Sucre leaves Bashorov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt. Bashorov fails to land the takedown.That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karim Bashorov. That's going to take a lot out of him. De Sucre throws a chopping leg kick but Bashorov manages to avoid taking any serious damage. De Sucre throws the kick towards the body but Bashorov avoids it. De Sucre scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard. Bashorov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says De Sucre as he avoids it easily. That's two minutes gone in the round. De Sucre misses with a body kick. De Sucre lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Bashorov throws a shot from downtown. De Sucre moves away and avoids it. De Sucre throws a front kick that sends Bashorov stumbling back into the cage.This has been an exciting period of action! Bashorov misses with an uppercut. De Sucre saw that one coming. Bashorov has his takedown stuffed and De Sucre counters with a straight right hand. Bashorov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. De Sucre looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath. De Sucre takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd cheers as Bashorov lands an impressive looking overhand right. De Sucre doesn't seem phased though. De Sucre feints and then cracks Bashorov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bashorov down. Bashorov misses with an uppercut. De Sucre takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
That's three minutes gone in the round. De Sucre slips a jab from Bashorov. A slow jab from Bashorov misses its intended target. Bashorov on the wrong end of a nice jab. Bashorov checks a leg kick nicely.It looked like Bashorov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit. De Sucre avoids a lazy jab quite easily. Bashorov staying out of range there.Karim Bashorov is winning the standup battle so far. De Sucre is looking to land body kicks. Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but De Sucre is just out of range. A looping hook to the body misses from Bashorov. De Sucre does a little dance to reset his feet.Bashorov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.De Sucre manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage. De Sucre digs a right hand into Bashorov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bashorov's gas tank. De Sucre misses with a punch to the body.
De Sucre working aggressively here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. De Sucre goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bashorov jumps guard.
De Sucre must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu. De Sucre stopping the sweep attempt from Bashorov.Bashorov is working hard here to advance position.De Sucre gets to his feet. Bashorov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son! De Sucre misses the shot to the body. De Sucre's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bashorov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! De Sucre scrambles back to his feet. Bashorov shoots in and drives through. De Sucre sprawls well.De Sucre now looks to counter with a shot at the body. Bashorov staying out of range there. Bashorov shoots for a double leg takedown but De Sucre sprawls well. He's pushed Bashorov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily. De Sucre misses with a looping left. Bashorov stuns De Sucre with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range. De Sucre scores with a slapping inside leg kick. Bashorov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Antonio Jose De Sucre just about did enough to take it.That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

De Sucre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bashorov thows a left - swing and a miss! De Sucre swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made. De Sucre pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bashorov misses with an uppercut. De Sucre saw that one coming. De Sucre looks to land a body kick but Bashorov moved away. De Sucre looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it. Bashorov throws out a powerful jab. That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bashorov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from De Sucre - the referee stops the clock and Bashorov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says De Sucre. Bashorov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes. Bashorov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Bashorov scores with a shot to the body.
De Sucre lands a front kick. De Sucre tries to clinch but Bashorov moves out of range. De Sucre throws a looping overhand right but Bashorov ducks down to avoid it. De Sucre misses with a body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round. Bashorov lands a nice looking body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bashorov. Bashorov throws a big shot that misses. De Sucre takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bashorov throws out a token jab with nothing on it. Bashorov lands a jab to the head.
A momentary lapse in concentration from De Sucre enables Bashorov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. De Sucre manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat. De Sucre is looking to stand up but Bashorov isn't so interested in that idea. De Sucre is trying to keep Bashorov in close.
That's two minutes gone in the round. De Sucre keeping moving, preventing Bashorov from controlling successfully. De Sucre lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.Bashorov is looking for a triangle but De Sucre pushes his legs off easily.
De Sucre got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bashorov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, De Sucre has managed to get both his arms back between Bashorov's legs - danger averted. De Sucre is stalling in the full guard. De Sucre has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bashorov is proving hard to escape from. That's three minutes gone in the round. De Sucre preventing the sweep. Bashorov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.De Sucre is looking to stand up but Bashorov isn't so interested in that idea. Bashorov is in close to De Sucre's body, working some short punches and elbows. De Sucre looking for a sweep. Not yet De Sucre, not yet. Bashorov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of De Sucre's head. Bashorov scoring with some ground and pound. That's four minutes gone in the round. Bashorov controls the pace of the fight for a moment. De Sucre wants to sweep here but Bashorov controlling him for the moment. De Sucre looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it. De Sucre is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move. De Sucre wants to pass the guard but Bashorov is defending well. The crowd thankful this round is nearly over. De Sucre seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov had his way with Antonio Jose De Sucre in that round.That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Bashorov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by De Sucre. De Sucre looks to score with a combo but nothing lands. Bashorov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bashorov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and De Sucre counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bashorov thinking. De Sucre slips a jab from Bashorov. De Sucre throws a lazy right hand but Bashorov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily. De Sucre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bashorov.
Bashorov throws a shot from downtown. De Sucre moves away and avoids it. Bashorov misses with an uppercut. De Sucre saw that one coming.We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Bashorov swings and misses with a shot to the body and De Sucre counters with a straight right hand. Bashorov misses with a series of wild punches.
A jab from Bashorov misses. That's one minute gone in the round. Bashorov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. Bashorov throws an overhand right that lands on De Sucre's shoulder, as De Sucre tries to avoid the shot. De Sucre pushes Bashorov away with a front kick. De Sucre connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bashorov's hands. De Sucre fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bashorov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath. De Sucre moves away from the strike by Bashorov. Jab, jab by De Sucre - just one landing. De Sucre lands a right hook to the body.
De Sucre defending well as Bashorov loads up on a big left hand. Bashorov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body. Bashorov lands with a good body shot. De Sucre throws a solid leg kick but Bashorov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at De Sucre. Bashorov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those. De Sucre pushes Bashorov away with a front kick.That's two minutes gone in the round. Bashorov has a takedown stuffed.The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bashorov is defended easily by De Sucre. De Sucre misses with a two punch combination.
A slow jab from De Sucre misses its intended target. De Sucre uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bashorov.De Sucre gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bashorov to score an easy takedown into full guard. Bashorov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time. That's three minutes gone in the round. Bashorov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.Bashorov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission. De Sucre controls Bashorov momentarily but Bashorov frees himself. Bashorov is pushing down on De Sucre's leg trying to pass to half guard. De Sucre is fighting to maintain full guard but Bashorov has managed to sneak the leg through. De Sucre looks like he's trying to stand up.
De Sucre keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount. Bashorov trying to control the action but De Sucre is working from the bottom. De Sucre tries to get to full guard but Bashorov has control of the leg. That's four minutes gone in the round.The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so. De Sucre on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound. Bashorov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears. Bashorov wants to lay and pray for a moment but De Sucre keeps working. Bashorov prevents De Sucre from improving his position. Bashorov winds up and cracks De Sucre with a swinging punch to the side of the head. De Sucre is controlling Bashorov's position as best he can from this difficult position. De Sucre keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!I would just about give that final round to Antonio Jose De Sucre.I think De Sucre has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:48Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45

The fight is ruled a draw! Karim Bashorov retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!